Maungdaw, Arakan State (Rohingya Vision) — Myanmar’s military have demanded bribes from the Rohingya farmers to cultivate their own farmlands in Maungdaw Township, according to the reliable sources.

The lands are located by the barbed wired-fences along the Border with Bangladesh at the respective village tracts of Aung Zan and Hlaing Thi under the Commandment (NayMyay) 2 in northern Maungdaw.

The military officer reported to have demanded the bribes is the deputy commander of the infantry unit at ‘Welaa Taung’ under battalion (KhaMaYa) 378 in the same region. He has prevented the Rohingya farmers from harrowing and cultivating their paddy lands early this monsoon season.

Now, in the middle of the monsoon season, the military officer has ordered the owners of the farmlands to pay Kyat 50,000 for the military funds and cultivate their respective farmlands.

“The deputy commander sought for Kyat 50,000 from each of the owners of the lands. But they have refused to give the bribes. They said that they would harrow the lands only when they don’t need to pay the bribe,” said a local Rohingya in northern Maungdaw.

Therefore, the military commander says failing to cultivate the lands is against the national interest. Hence, he is threatening the farmers that he will punish them according to the law if they don’t follow his order.